Closure rates and patterns after light silicone oil tamponade for persistent full-thickness macular holes.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of re-vitrectomy using light silicone oil (SO) tamponade for persistent macular holes (MHs). METHODS: We reviewed cases of patients with full-thickness MHs that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with air/gas and were re-vitrectomized using light SO tamponade after primary non-closure (persistent MHs). Outcome measures included anatomic closure rates and patterns confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: A total of 42 eyes of 41 patients with unsuccessful primary PPV with air/gas were included. After re-vitrectomy with light SO (1000-centistoke), 29 (69%) eyes demonstrated type 1 closure without neurosensory defects in OCT scans, whereas 9 eyes (21%) showed type 2 closure with persisting neurosensory defects. Available data (n = 21) showed a significant mean improvement of BCVA from 0.99 logMAR (SD 0.25, range 0.7-1.3) preoperatively to 0.74 logMAR (SD 0.42, range 0.2-1.5) postoperatively (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The treatment of persistent MHs with PPV and light SO tamponade resulted in high closure rates.

CHANGES OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY PARAMETERS AFTER INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING COMPARED WITH NONPEELING IN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare microvascular changes of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeled and nonpeeled eyes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes using optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: Forty-two patients with epiretinal membranes underwent vitrectomy with (n = 22) or without ILM peeling (n = 20). The mean superficial capillary plexus foveal avascular zone area change between preoperative and three-month postoperative readings served as the main outcome measure. Secondary outcome parameters included mean changes in superficial capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density, central foveal thickness, retinal volume, and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Mean superficial capillary plexus foveal avascular zone area change (µm 2 ) was 59 ± 74 in the ILM nonpeeling group compared with -12 ± 86 in the ILM peeling group ( P = 0.007). Similarly, mean superficial capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density change (%) was higher in the ILM nonpeeling group (ILM nonpeeling 4 ± 4, ILM peeling -2 ± 6, P = 0.003). The mean retinal volume reduction was higher in the ILM peeling group, and this difference also reached statistical significance ( P = 0.036). There were no intergroup differences in mean central foveal thickness change and mean best-corrected visual acuity change ( P = 0.409 and P = 0.440, respectively). Epiretinal membrane/ILM separation was achieved in 23 of 51 patients. CONCLUSION: The macular microvasculature demonstrated more remodeling in the ILM nonpeeling group after three months.

Cotinine and cytokine levels in the vitreous body and blood serum of smokers and non-smokers - A pilot study.

Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for many ocular diseases. Of the multiple tobacco smoke compounds nicotine and its main metabolite cotinine are likely agents in disease modulation. The interaction of these compounds with exposed tissue is complex and ranges from proinflammatory to potentially neuroprotective properties. We aimed to determine cotinine and cytokines in the vitreous in smokers and non-smokers in this prospective, cross-sectional study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Austria. We included 10 smokers and 10 non-smokers. Vitreous and serum samples were analyzed for cotinine and cytokines. The cytokine analysis was performed with multiplex assay and cotinine was quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cotinine was detectable in smokers only with a mean of 154.0 ng/ml ± 107.3 ng/ml in the vitreous and of 194.1 ng/ml ± 121.3 ng/ml in the serum. The difference between intraocular and systemic levels was statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between the cytokine levels of smokers and non-smokers. However, intravitreal VEGF-A was by trend elevated in smokers and correlated positively with intravitreal cotinine (r = 0.59, p = 0.073). In conclusion cotinine is detectable in the vitreous of smokers and is lower than the serum. There is a trend towards elevation of VEGF-A in the vitreous of smokers.

Vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema and the relevance of external limiting membrane.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relevance of external limiting membrane (ELM) on the visual and morphological results in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: Medical records of patients with DME who underwent PPV at our unit between January 2017 and December 2019 were reviewed. We assessed preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) using spectral domain OCT (optical coherence tomography). Exclusion criteria were previous PPV; incomplete data; concomitant diseases including retinal vein occlusion, age-related macular degeneration, uveitis; and a follow-up of less than 12 months. The surgeries were performed using 23- or 27-gauge vitrectomy. The ELM was graded depending on its configuration (grade 0 = intact, grade 1 to 3: disruption of varying extent). RESULTS: Ninety-nine eyes were enrolled. The postoperative follow up averaged 23.7 months. The preoperative and final BCVA averaged 0.71 ± 0.28 and 0.52 ± 0.3 logMAR, respectively (p = 0.002). The CMT averaged 515.2 ± 209.1 µm preoperatively and 327 ± 66.1 µm postoperatively (p = 0.001). Eyes with intact ELM (n = 8) had a significantly better BCVA compared to those with ELM disruption (0.28 ± 0.14 vs. 0.7 ± 0.25 logMAR, p = 0.01). The final CMT was similar among the groups (intact ELM: 317 ± 54.6 µm; ELM disruption: 334 ± 75.2, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: PPV with ERM and ILM peeling is an effective treatment of DME. Eyes with intact ELM preoperatively had a significantly better final visual outcome. To maximize the benefit for patients with DME we recommend early PPV as long as ELM is intact.

Vitreous albumin redox state in open-angle glaucoma patients and controls: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Numerous studies suggest that reactive oxygen species play a crucial role in the development of glaucoma. Since glaucoma patients exhibit posterior vitreous detachment earlier than controls, it has been suggested that reactive oxygen species-increased in glaucoma-also affect the vitreous. In the present study we evaluated the influence of open-angle glaucoma oxidative stress on the redox state of vitreous albumin. METHODS: Albumin redox states of the vitreous and plasma were evaluated in 22 subjects-11 open-angle glaucoma patients and 11 controls-matched for age, gender, and vitreous state. According to the redox state of cysteine-34, albumin can be separated into: human mercaptalbumin (the thiol form), human nonmercaptalbumin1 (a reversible modification due to mild oxidation), and human nonmercaptalbumin2 (an irreversible modification due to severe oxidation). RESULTS: Albumin of both, the open-angle glaucoma group and the control group, was more oxidized in the vitreous compared to plasma. Furthermore, significantly higher human nonmercaptalbumin1 fractions were found in the vitreous of open-angle glaucoma patients compared to controls. No significant differences were found in the plasma albumin fractions between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in open-angle glaucoma and that reactive oxygen species in glaucomatous eyes may also affect the vitreous.

Effect of intravitreal C3F8 gas in patients with vitreomacular traction: A retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of a single intravitreal perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas injection for the treatment of vitreomacular traction with or without a macular hole. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, seven eyes of six patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction documented on optical coherence tomography, one with a macular hole additionally, received a single intravitreal C3F8 gas injection of up to 0.3 ml. The primary endpoint was vitreomacular traction release at 1 month after injection. Secondary endpoints included resolution of vitreomacular adhesion within 6 months, nonsurgical closure of macular holes, and change in central foveal thickness and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Overall, on optical coherence tomography, six of seven eyes (85.7%) had release of vitreomacular traction during the entire study duration: three within 1 month of injection and the other three within 6 months. Of the latter group, two of the three eyes showed a concurrent epiretinal membrane and one concurrent diabetic retino- and maculopathy. The patient with a macular hole had resolution of vitreomacular traction within 1 month but had to undergo vitrectomy because of nonclosure of the macular hole. Associated adverse events were macular edema with a consequent lamellar hole after injection in one patient, and another patient developed retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal C3F8gas injection is an inexpensive and promising minimally invasive option for the treatment of symptomatic and persistent vitreomacular traction with or without a macular hole. Further larger studies, especially comparing C3F8 gas injection with other treatment options, are needed.

CHANGE OF CHOROIDAL VOLUME IN UNTREATED CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: Choroidal hyperpermeability plays a central role in the pathophysiology of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). In active CSC undergoing treatment, choroidal thickness decreases if subretinal fluid (SRF) resolves. This study aimed to investigate the change in choroidal thickness and volume in eyes with untreated CSC. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 27 eyes with treatment-naïve CSC (25 patients), who had a follow-up of 4 to 6 weeks. Retinal and choroidal volume and SRF were segmented manually and calculated using the Spectralis OCT built-in software (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering). RESULTS: In treatment-naïve eyes with CSC, an increase in SRF was significantly associated with an increase in choroidal thickness and volume (rho = 0.93, P < 0.01). Eyes with greater baseline choroidal volume showed a significantly greater decrease in SRF during follow-up (rho = -0.47, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In this study, an increase in SRF was associated with an increase in both choroidal thickness and volume in eyes with treatment-naïve CSC. Eyes with thicker baseline choroidal volume showed a greater reduction in SRF.

MACULAR CHOROIDAL VOLUME CHANGES AFTER INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB FOR EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on the macular choroidal volume and the subfoveal choroidal thickness in treatment naïve eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: The macular choroidal volume and the subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. After a screening examination, each patient received 3 monthly intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. One month after the third injection was a final assessment. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with a mean age of 80 ± 6.4 years were included. The macular choroidal volume decreased significantly from median 4.1 mm (interquartile range 3.4-5.9) to median 3.9 mm (interquartile range 3.1-5.6) between the baseline and final examination (difference -0.46 mm, 95% confidence interval: -0.57 to 0.35, P < 0.001). Similarly, subfoveal choroidal thickness had decreased from 157.0 µm (interquartile range 116.0-244.5) at baseline to 139.0 µm (interquartile range 102.5-212.0) at the final examination (P < 0.001). Both parameters macular choroidal volume at baseline and subfoveal choroidal thickness at baseline were not associated with the response to treatment. CONCLUSION: The macular choroidal volume and the subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly after 3 monthly bevacizumab injections for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Assessment of vision-related quality of life in patients with central retinal artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a major cause for severe visual impairment. Its effect on vision-related quality of life has not yet been determined. The purpose of the present study was thus to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with CRAO using the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. METHODS: The case-control study comprised 26 patients with unilateral CRAO and a control group consisting of 26 control subjects, matched for age and sex. Vision-related quality of life was measured using the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, the median 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire composite score was significantly lower in patients with CRAO than in those in the control group (P(corr) < 0.001). Patients with CRAO showed significantly lower median scores in 9 of 12 subscales: general vision (P(corr) < 0.001), peripheral vision (P(corr) < 0.001), difficulties with near-vision activities (P(corr) < 0.001), difficulties with distance-vision activities (P(corr) < 0.001), role difficulties as a result of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), dependency on others because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), limitations in social functioning because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), mental health symptoms because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), and general health (P(corr) = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that vision-related quality of life is reduced in patients with CRAO.

Evaluation of intravitreal injections as a risk factor for capsular rupture during cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previous intravitreal injections are an independent risk factor for posterior capsular rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery after adjusting for known risk factors. DESIGN: Single-centre medical records analysis of a population-based cohort at a university-based referral centre. A retrospective cohort study has been conducted with inclusion of cataract surgeries done from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. PARTICIPANTS: All consecutive cataract surgeries done in patients of at least 18 years of age from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2020 have been included. METHODS: Association between previous intravitreal injections and PCR rates has been analysed through univariable and multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE). Other investigated risk factors were age, combined surgery, pseudoexfoliation, surgeon's experience, and type of cataract surgery. RESULTS: A statistically significant higher rate of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery has been found in patients with previous intravitreal therapy compared with patients with no history of intravitreal therapy (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10-1.46, p = 0.008). However, after adjusting for confounding risk factors, no statistically significant effect was seen (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.89-1.21, p = 0.664). CONCLUSION: We found no association between history of intravitreal injections and PCR during cataract surgery after adjusting for known risk factors. Further studies upon interactions between history of intravitreal injections and known risk factors for PCR, especially pseudoexfoliation, are needed.

Risk assessment of idiopathic macular holes undergoing vitrectomy with dye-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify predictors for idiopathic macular hole persistence after pars plana vitrectomy with dye-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. METHODS: In a retrospective case series, 160 eyes underwent identical vitreoretinal procedures performed by the same surgeon. Baseline characteristics and preoperative optical coherence tomography were evaluated regarding the postoperative anatomical outcome. RESULTS: n overall closure rate of 86.3% (138/160) was achieved. According to the Gass classification system, the closure rates were 100.0% (11/11) in Stage 2, 95.0% (57/60) in Stage 3, and 78.7% (70/89) in Stage 4. Thereby, a significant influence of preoperative best-corrected visual acuity and basal hole diameter was observed. Especially, idiopathic macular hole with a basal hole diameter of ≥800 µm and a best-corrected visual acuity of ≤20/100 had a 4 and 6 times higher risk to persist, respectively. On the other hand, age, gender, bilateral occurrence, symptom duration, and lens status did not have an effect on the surgical outcome. Furthermore, perifoveal pseudocysts were associated with a higher closure rate in Stage 4 idiopathic macular hole. CONCLUSION: Simple clinical parameters such as best-corrected visual acuity, basal diameter, and perifoveal pseudocysts are efficient predictors and might be used to expand the validity of the Gass classification.

Intravitreal methotrexate in the management of presumed tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis.

PURPOSE: To report on the use of intravitreal methotrexate (IVT MTX) as part of treatment of presumed tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis progressing despite the use of tuberculostatics. METHODS: Case series of patients suffering from serpiginous-like choroiditis with positive tuberculin skin test who received IVT injections of MTX as part of treatment. Ocular disease was active despite the use of systemic tuberculostatic (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol), and choroidal lesions showed signs of progression. A single injection of IVT MTX (400 µg/0.1 mL) was administered in the eye with macular-threatening features. Change in visual acuity, appearance of the lesion, and staining patterns on angiography were among the main outcome measurements. RESULTS: Three eyes from two patients were included. Both cases presented bilateral involvement with mild vitritis. In all three eyes, choroidal lesions healed within the first month after an IVT MTX injection with visual acuity improvement in two. No adverse reaction was related to the medication or to the procedure. Patients were followed for a mean of 13.5 months after being injected. CONCLUSION: The use of IVT MTX seems effective in the management of the inflammatory component of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis, whereas systemic tuberculostatics are aimed at controlling the infectious one.

Capsular tension ring as protective measure against in-the-bag dislocations after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation on the development of in-the-bag (ITB) dislocations after cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology Graz, Graz, Austria. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent cataract operation between 1996 and 2017 were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the influence of CTR implantation and other predisposing factors (pseudoexfoliation [PEX], age, retinitis pigmentosa, sex, zonular weakness, uveitis, high myopia, and intraocular lens design and material) on ITB dislocations. RESULTS: ITB dislocations were found in 111 (0.16%) of 68199 eyes (46 632 patients). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for other predisposing risk factors, a CTR implantation was associated with a lower risk of an ITB dislocation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11-0.80; P = .017). In eyes with PEX, a CTR implantation was associated with an HR of 0.16 (95% CI, 0.04-0.70; P = .015), whereas eyes without PEX had an HR of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.14-4.41; P = .793). A CTR implantation in eyes with zonular weakness resulted in a potentially lower risk (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.12-1.12; P = .078). CONCLUSIONS: According to the dataset, implantation of a CTR was a protective measure against an ITB dislocation. Especially in patients with zonular weakness and PEX, the CTR implantation was association with a lower risk of ITB dislocations. In patients without PEX, no association was established.

Fibulin-5 mutations link inherited neuropathies, age-related macular degeneration and hyperelastic skin.

To identify the disease-causing gene responsible for an autosomal dominantly inherited Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy subtype in a family excluded for mutations in the common Charcot-Marie-Tooth genes, we used array-based sequence capture to simultaneously analyse the disease-linked protein coding exome at chromosome 14q32. A missense mutation in fibulin-5, encoding a widely expressed constituent of the extracellular matrix that has an essential role in elastic fibre assembly and has been shown to cause cutis laxa, was detected as the only novel non-synonymous sequence variant within the disease interval. Screening of 112 index probands with unclassified Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies detected two further fibulin-5 missense mutations in two families with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and hyperextensible skin. Since fibulin-5 mutations have been described in patients with age-related macular degeneration, an additional 300 probands with exudative age-related macular degeneration were included in this study. Two further fibulin-5 missense mutations were identified in six patients. A mild to severe peripheral neuropathy was detected in the majority of patients with age-related macular degeneration carrying mutations in fibulin-5. This study identifies fibulin-5 as a gene involved in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies and reveals heterozygous fibulin-5 mutations in 2% of our patients with age-related macular degeneration. Furthermore, it adumbrates a new syndrome by linking concurrent pathologic alterations affecting peripheral nerves, eyes and skin to mutations in the fibulin-5 gene.

Influence of combined phacovitrectomy without tamponade on intraocular lens displacement and postoperative refraction.

PURPOSE: To compare phacoemulsification versus phacovitrectomy regarding postoperative intraocular lens (IOL) shift and refraction. METHODS: This prospective bilateral comparison study included 40 eyes of 20 patients. Inclusion criteria were combined phacovitrectomy without gas/air tamponade in one eye and cataract surgery in the contralateral eye with implantation of the same IOL. Postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) was compared between both groups 1-5 hr, 1 day and 8 weeks after surgery. Postoperative refraction was compared after 8 weeks using the Holladay I, HofferQ, SRK/T, Haigis and Barrett formulae. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in ACD (8 weeks: 0.02 mm absolute difference, SD 0.22, range -0.36 to 0.65, p = 0.401), mean absolute refractive error (8 weeks: Holladay I p = 0.452; HofferQ p = 0.475; SRK/T p = 0.498; Haigis p = 0.869; and Barrett p = 0.352) or percentages within the 0.5 D and 1.0 D range at any time-point. All formulae were optimized for the phacovitrectomy and the cataract groups. There was no correlation of macular thickness change and refractive error (cataract group r2 = -0.13, p = 0.58; phacovitrectomy group r2 = -0.10, p = 0.68). CONCLUSION: Combined phacovitrectomy without air/ gas tamponade caused neither ACD displacement nor refractive shifts compared to phacoemulsification alone. Surgically induced macular thickness change had no significant influence on postoperative refraction in this study. All five IOL formulae showed comparable postoperative refractive outcomes.

In-depth analysis of risk factors for pseudophakic retinal detachments and retinal breaks.

PURPOSE: To provide a detailed analysis of risk factors for pseudophakic retinal detachments (PRD) and pseudophakic retinal breaks (PRB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of cataract surgeries between 1996 and 2017 at a tertiary care hospital in Austria. A Cox proportional-hazard regression model was used to analyse risk factors for PRD and PRB. RESULTS: Sixty-five thousand six hundred and sixty-two eyes (45 043 patients) underwent phacoemulsification, and 393 eyes (cumulative incidence 0.6%) were diagnosed with PRD (327 eyes) or PRB (66 eyes) during the follow-up (median 7.1 years, range 0-21). Calculation of adjusted hazard ratios (HR) revealed a hierarchy of risk factors for either event including (from the highest to the lowest risk) posterior capsular rupture (PCR), patient age <65 years (compared with the age group >75 years), male gender and high myopia. Diabetes mellitus was associated with a lower risk. PCR was the strongest risk factor for PRD both in patients with and without perioperative vitrectomy (i.e. vitreous loss), but time to PRD was significantly reduced only following PCR with vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior capsular rupture, young patient age, male gender and high myopia were risk factors for PRD, but diabetes mellitus was associated with a lower risk. PCR had the strongest association with PRD, regardless of the need for perioperative vitrectomy due to vitreous loss. Time to PRD was reduced in patients with PCR and vitrectomy compared with PCR without the need for vitrectomy or uneventful surgery.

Role of inflammation-related gene polymorphisms in patients with central retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a vision-threatening disease, primarily occurring among patients aged more than 60 years. Several risk factors, including arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, have been identified. Compression of the central retinal vein by an atherosclerotic retinal artery at the lamina cribrosa also has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. Functional gene polymorphisms of cytokines or chemokines previously shown to affect atherogenesis or hemostasis are potential risk factors for CRVO. The present study investigates a hypothesized association between inflammation-related gene polymorphisms and the presence of CRVO in a relatively large cohort of patients. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: The study group consisted of 315 patients with CRVO and 335 control subjects. METHODS: Determination of genotypes was done by 5' exonuclease assay (TaqMan). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Genotypes of interleukin (IL)1ß -511C>T, IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) 1018T>C, IL4 -584C>T, IL6 -174G>C, IL10 -592C>A, IL18 183A>G, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α -308G>A, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 -2518A>G, IL8 -251A>T, and RANTES (CCL5) -403G>A polymorphisms. RESULTS: Genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the investigated gene polymorphisms did not significantly differ between both groups (P>0.05). Arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cigarette smoking were significantly more frequent in patients with CRVO than among control subjects (arterial hypertension: 67.0% vs. 52.2%, P<0.001; diabetes mellitus: 16.8% vs. 6.3%, P<0.001, cigarette smoking: 32.1% vs. 23.6%, P = 0.02). In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of arterial hypertension was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-2.44) in those with CRVO, whereas an OR of 2.52 (95% CI, 1.46-4.35) was found in those with diabetes mellitus. A history of cigarette smoking was associated with an OR of 1.57 (95% CI, 1.09 - 2.25) for CRVO. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the investigated inflammation-related gene polymorphisms are unlikely major risk factors for CRVO. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.